Govt gives Flames extra funds
Team departs for Botswana
The cloud of uncertainty surrounding the Flames trip to Nigeria for Saturday’s swim-or-sink 2014 World Cup qualifier has been cleared as government has given its word to provide the K25 million (US$77 881) extra funding needed to meet the K40 million budget.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said government approved the request for extra funds on Friday and the team was expected to leave the country for Botswana at 11.55pm via Nairobi yesterday.
“I can confirm that all the logistics pertaining to the trip have been finalised. We have obtained visas, we have paid for air travel and government has assured to give us the rest on Monday to meet allowances and accommodation expenses.
“We are very thankful to government for always being there for us. Now what remains is for the team to deliver on the pitch in Nigeria,” said Nyirenda.
The Flames are scheduled to arrive in Botswana’s capital Gaborone this morning where they will be joined by foreign-based players tomorrow [Monday] ahead of Tuesday’s training game against the Zebras.
Meanwhile, an advanced team comprising the FAM CEO and accountant Christopher Mdolo left the country yesterday afternoon for Nigeria to ensure that everything is in place in Calabar.
“While we have an official assurance from our Nigerian counterparts, we do not want to be caught off guard pertaining to issues relating to security in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks.
“We also want to finalise accommodation arrangements and other necessities,” said Nyirenda.
In Botswana, the Flames will stay at Travel Lodge Hotel and it are expected to proceed to Nigeria on Wednesday.
The Flames, who are on second position of the Group F Africa qualifiers with seven points, trail the Super Eagles by two points and need nothing short of a win to qualify for the final phase of the global showcase qualifiers.
I just want to comment on the sad and appalling financial state of Football Association of Malawi.It does not look and seem good to
hear that FAM has asked government time and again for financial assistance to fund a tournament at regional level and international
level.What is wrong with Malawi football finances?From club level to National level it seems there is something wrong with accountability.From way back in the history of football development say in the 1960 to present time there has not been any tangible
or real sports administration or structural development in terms of self-sufficiency in clubs and national team formulating strategies
to source funds and sustain themselves financially,building proper training grounds and facilities,club houses,club merchandise
to sell to support the running and financing sports clubs activities or for paying players and staff.
Every day we hear financial problems from such and such clubs including the national team.Why are Malawians not professionally
running sports clubs to financially sustain themselves,but always looking to government for financial assistance.
It is now time for Malawi government to stop funding national teams in all sports activities be it football,netball,athletics and all
other sporting activities.Government can not go on funding sports.Even in well developed economies like England and America sports is funded by sponsors like businesses and corporations.
Where does the money raised at club and national competitions as gate and tickets fees go to?There are also issues of accountability and corruption that is affecting sports development in Malawi.Most of gate/entry fees money is stollen by so
called officials.There is a lot of so called officials and top men and women in government and politics or public and private
sector who enter FREE as nobody can ask or stop them to pay for watching activities.This is one way revenue to improve
welfare,club finances.players and officials running sports entities are lost.Unless this leisure and careless way of doing business
in sports is stopped Malawi sports will lag behind into the next century.
Also consider to get sponsors to run sports activities like the run a business organisation.Employ accountants and sports administrators and well qualified persons to do the running of sports clubs.Most vintage/old football clubs in Malawi like Ba
ta Bullets and Wanderers have no basic or minimum training or club playing fields after being so many years in existence.Such
sorry state of football and sports affairs in Malawi is very sad indeed.
There is need to lay down rules and regulations before a club is registered to have basic infrastructures such as modern grass
playing fields not bare and dusty as seen and prevalent in Malawi.Business administration structures and stop always asking government to support sports financially.Government should development roads,schools,hospitals and not sports such as football
and netball.Please FAM and SULAM stop depending on government to support your activities financially and aim to stand on your own.
SHAME FAM,SHAME MALAWI SPORTS IN ALL,GROW-UP TO BE COMPETITIVE LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY IF YOU
WANT TO IMPROVE SPORTS DISCIPLINES IN MALAWI.